Once Royal, Their Bond Is Common

RED SOX NOTEBOOK

May 24, 1998|By PAUL DOYLE and ALAN GREENBERG; Courant Staff Writers

BOSTON — They are like aging fraternity brothers bound by their Kansas City youth.

Bret Saberhagen, Mark Gubicza, Bud Black, Tom Gordon, Kevin Appier, Charlie Leibrandt, Jeff Montgomery and David Cone all came through the Royals organization in the 1980s. They remain friends, keeping tabs on each other from around the country.

When they wind up pitching against each other, it can be peculiar. Today, Saberhagen faces Cone in the final game of the Yankees- Red Sox series.

``Coney and I are usually cheering for each other,'' Saberhagen said. ``Hopefully, he'll do well and come away with a no-decision.''

Gordon, who faced Appier two years ago, said: ``It's fun, but kind of weird. You have to stay focused and forget that you're facing a friend. I'm anxious to watch.''

Saberhagen, 34, and Cone, 35, have crossed paths a few times, starting with two years as minor league teammates. They spent 1 1/2 years as teammates with the Royals and a year together with the Mets.

While Cone (6-1, 6.60 ERA) has battled injuries the past few years, Saberhagen (5-2, 5.26) is coming off reconstructive shoulder surgery that prevented him from pitching for almost two years.

After starting 5-0, Saberhagen has allowed 18 earned runs in his past 16 1/3 innings. He has spent the past few days studying videotape and will make some adjustments in his windup.

But after the Red Sox lost 12-3 Saturday, Saberhagen was relishing his assignment.

``It's what it's all about,'' he said. ``A big series, facing the team ahead of you. . . . These are the types of games you like to be in.''

Not A Perfect Play

Does anything better capture how phenomenally difficult it is to pitch a perfect game than what happened to David Wells with one out in the Red Sox first? Wells got Darren Bragg, the Red Sox's hero Friday, to hit a popup to short left field. Shortstop Derek Jeter stood with his glove raised, as if ready to make a routine catch, only to have the ball fall between him and left fielder Chad Curtis for a single that ended Wells' American League-record streak of retiring 38 consecutive batters.

``I never even saw it [because of the sun],'' Jeter said. ``I never knew where it was. I felt bad about it, but what can you do?

Curtis told him what to do.

``Give me a sign,'' he said he told Jeter, ``the next time you're not going to make the play.''

Garciaparra Swinging

Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra took batting practice for the first time since separating his right shoulder May 8. Garciaparra is eligible to come off the disabled list today, but he is not expected to play until next weekend in New York.

``It could be earlier,'' Garciaparra said. ``I don't want to put a time limit on it. If I can get back early, I will.''

Garciaparra has been throwing and fielding grounders, with pain on certain throws.

Johns Debuts At Last

With Mark Lemke (concussion) unavailable until at least Monday, the Red Sox promoted infielder Keith Johns from Triple A Pawtucket and demoted outfielder Trot Nixon. Johns, who has played in the Cardinals, Brewers and Orioles organizations, made his major league debut with a walk in the ninth. He was hitting .234 with Pawtucket. . . . To make room on the 40-man roster for Johns, the Red Sox placed pitcher Kerry Lacy (right shoulder) on the 60-day disabled list.